The Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina asked the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina not to return the passport of “Bosnalijek” director Nedim Uzunović, who is accused of abuse of office, and thereby maintain the travel ban due to fear of escaping, while his defense requested the lifting of the ban.
Uzunović’s lawyer, Duška Bogojević, said that she believes that the reasons for banning measures have ended, considering that the indictment against Uzunović has been filed and confirmed in the meantime, and travel bans and meeting with certain persons have been imposed due to the duration of the investigation.
Also, Bogojević stated that the indictment did not state new prohibition measures, and emphasized that she is asking for the return of the passport for her client, reports BIRN BiH.
Uzunović and 14 other persons, including four legal entities, are accused of organized crime and money laundering, while Uzunović himself is accused of abuse of position, i.e. for acts committed between 2005 and 2016 in the company “Bosnalijek”.
The Prosecution states that the illegal property gain in this case amounts to more than 10.8 million BAM.
Nedim, Jasmina and Sead Uzunović, Emin Hadžiomerović, Munir and Nadija Ćukle, Alma Turajlić, Aziz Šukalo, Vedad Tuzović, Bogdan Joković, Anel Vrtić and the legal entity “Serreta Investing” d.o.o. are charged with these crimes. Sarajevo, “Libero 5” d.o.o. Konjic, “Tourist Best” d.d. Konjic and “Emko construction” d.o.o. Roznica.
After the abolition of detention in January 2022, measures were imposed on Uzunović, prohibiting him from leaving his place of residence, a ban on approaching the “Bosnalijek” building and all its business units within a hundred meters, a ban on meeting with current and former employees and members of the Supervisory and Management Boards of this company or in any way contacting witnesses and other suspected persons.
On the other hand, the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina is now requesting the same prohibition measure, but for other reasons. Prosecutor Enisa Adrović said that “there is a real danger of escape”.
“Uzunović transferred large amounts of money to accounts that we don’t know where they are. (…) The minimum measures that should remain in force are confiscation of passports, a travel ban and a meeting ban. (…) So, it’s a new request for a travel ban due to fear from the escape,” said the prosecutor.
She added that “the defendant has real estate in Croatia, so it would not be a problem for him to move there.”
“If you return his passport – it is questionable whether we will see him in the courtroom,” said prosecutor Adrović.
Uzunović and lawyer Bogojević denied that the accused has real estate in Croatia. The lawyer believes that the new proposal of the Prosecutor’s Office should be rejected because, as she stated, “the danger of escape has never been established.”
Bogojević said that Uzunović has the exclusive citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina, that he is married and the father of three minor children. Also, Bogojević said that Uzunović showed his willingness to participate in the proceedings.
The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina will make a decision on the proposals within the legal term.
